carving pumpkins

This is the first year we have let the kids carve their own pumpkin - we usually only do one as a family. Daisy didn't hesitate with hers.



Rosie had gag reflex issues.



Tate was just having fun.



I'm not sure what was up with Lake?



The pumpkins: from left to right, oldest to youngest

eleven

my oldest turned 11 on Sunday

href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpzZesE_f4hgbhXpXs5XLwb9ySN6CRQ37HdRM0B0Bglu3uultuyIc9TptB0VJuKlPMKNlOqewjM_86xXfMicll5bya9VXCaDA4mNtlRiTJJ2y7Hrv4ZHtQRBuGjMNC4z1MEBLJA/s1600-h/IMG_1421.JPG">




He requested a simple party at home with his family and a few friends.



We played a few games but the favorite was the game of eating crackers and then trying to be the first one to blow a bubble with bubble gum. (does that game even have a name??)

Annie

I have to say she loves the new house, too.

homeschool cooking class

One of my favorite things about having my kids at home are days like today. On Monday we made cupcakes - actually, I did most of the work while asking the kids questions about what was happening. Today, I put the necessary ingredients out on the counter and announced to the gang that they were going to make cupcakes today.

The only way for me to keep my hands off the project was to hide behind the camera:





Lake took over the role of leader. No big surprise, right?

href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu5FtteRk9DrGMDifrMg6plztL-HbSIda_Giai4ZFBPRwtpkMcpC4ODCvbp3IdMxPLdKKeogAYhwxIPvYk_WtNqcMWX_p6iQC5sgOJvZo1ALtTWlAi3l2_2mGgH0BSjHoC4d89g/s1600-h/IMG_1333.JPG">

Rosie supervised Tate as he cracked his egg. Really, the egg cracking is the favorite task for the foursome. However, lots of recipes only call for 2 or 3 eggs. This one today called for 3 but they handled it well.



The one that didn't get to crack an egg (Daisy) was the first to get to use the mixer. The kids came up with this system - the only direction I gave them was when they were placing the cupcakes into the oven: "Careful, don't get burned" slipped out. That's just the mother in me, I suppose.



All in all, a very good day.

soccer 2009

oh, my